Elder Nwokolo Preaches Forgiveness, Youth Tolerance at ACPPB’s 69th Anniversary
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The General Leader of the All Christians Practical Praying Band (ACPPB), Elder Daniel Nwokolo, has called on Nigerians to embrace forgiveness and create space for younger leaders as the country seeks unity and progress.
Speaking during the pre-event Press briefing for the 69th anniversary of the Praying Band on Sunday, Nwokolo said national development is being hindered by unresolved bitterness and the reluctance of older politicians to give way to the next generation.
He stressed that Nigeria cannot move forward until citizens address grievances across ethnic and communal lines and commit to reconciliation, urging the church and nation to use forgiveness as a foundation for unity.
He said, “I have always believed that the church and the nation cannot move forward if we do not forgive each other. There is so much bitterness in our country today. Every tribe has one bitterness or the other. It is time for us to start forgiving ourselves to progress”
Drawing lessons from South Africa’s post-apartheid transition, Nwokolo said Nigeria should adopt a similar model of reconciliation. He cited Nelson Mandela as an example, noting that despite spending 27 years in prison, Mandela preached forgiveness after assuming power.
“I thought the Oputa Panel should have done what South Africa did. Nelson Mandela to me was a model. He wasn’t a religious leader, but he got into power after spending 27 years in incarceration and he preached forgiveness. That’s why South Africa is what it is today. It is time for Nigeria to preach and act forgiveness. Let’s forgive one another and move forward. That is my plea and message to the church and nation,” said.
Speaking on leadership and governance of the country, the cleric called for greater political opportunities for youths. He proposed that older Nigerians should step back from contesting local government chairmanship and state assembly seats to allow younger people gain experience at the grassroots level.
He said, “My philosophy of leadership is that younger people must be given the opportunity to express themselves. The problem with us elders is that we are afraid they will make mistakes, but mistakes are part of the process. We should allow them to make mistakes and learn from them. There’s a difference between someone in their 30s and someone in their 40s or 50s, and younger people should have room to correct themselves along the way.”
“If you ask me what I recommend as good governance, I would say people of a certain age should stop vying for the local government chairmanship and State House of Assembly seats. Those positions should be left for the younger ones. Let them go there, make their noise, play their games, and learn before we send them to Abuja. If we don’t train them at the grassroots and send them to higher ranks, they go there and mess up.”
Speaking on the 69th anniversary, Elder Nwokolo emphasized that the event, themed: “Looking unto Jesus, is not merely a theme, but the living testimony of the entire ministry.
“After six decades and nine years of existence, we have learned through experience what eternity has always declared: nothing else can truly sustain a people or a work except Christ Himself.”
Nwokolo charged members to remain faithful to the founding values of the ministry. He urged them never to depart from the simplicity, burden, and holy hunger that birthed the Praying Band, but to guard jealously the altar of prayer.
The 69th anniversary of the All Christians Practical Praying Band, celebrated in Ufuma, Sunday, drew thousands of members from different parts of the country. The climax was the cutting of the anniversary cake, presentations, among others.
